If you’re afraid of the dark, you’ve no place in Ironhearth. And if the dark is afraid of you, you’re fit for the Deepguard.

— Gorran Thal

Age: 52

Race: Dwarf

Occupation: Captain of Ironhearth’s Deepguard

Physical Description

Gorran Thal is a sturdy, broad-shouldered dwarf with a commanding presence. His braided, steel-gray beard is streaked with black, and his deep-set amber eyes carry a sharp intensity. His skin is tanned and weathered from years of working in the forges and leading expeditions into the treacherous mines beneath Ironhearth.

He is usually clad in heavy, rune-inscribed dwarven plate armor, designed to endure the crushing weight of collapsing tunnels and the claws of subterranean horrors. His weapon of choice, the Thundermaul, is a massive warhammer enchanted to release a deafening shockwave with every strike, a tool as effective in battle as it is in clearing blocked passageways.

Personality

Gorran is bold, brash, and fiercely loyal to his kin. He carries himself with the confidence of a seasoned warrior and the pragmatism of a leader who has spent decades facing the dangers of the deep. Known for his booming laughter and blunt demeanor, Gorran is respected among his peers and feared by his enemies.

Despite his tough exterior, he harbors a deep sense of responsibility for the lives of those under his command. He is relentless in protecting his people, even if it means putting himself in harm’s way. Gorran has little patience for politics and prefers action over debate, making him both an asset and a challenge to Ironhearth’s leadership.

History

Born and raised in Ironhearth, Gorran comes from a long line of miners and warriors. From a young age, he showed a knack for leading others to protect his community. At 18, he joined the Deepguard, a specialized division tasked with defending Ironhearth’s mines and underground forges from lurking threats.

Over the years, Gorran proved his mettle time and again, from fending off raids by deep-dwelling kobolds to slaying a magma wyrm that had claimed one of Ironhearth’s oldest mines. At 38, he was promoted to Captain of the Deepguard, a role he has held ever since.

Under his leadership, the Deepguard has expanded its operations, pushing into uncharted tunnels and reclaiming lost veins of ore, all while keeping Ironhearth’s people safe.